Upcoming Events

Step through the looking glass and join us for the Mad Planter Tea Party, a delightfully curious gathering inspired by the whimsy of Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. Instead of chasing white rabbits, we’ll be exploring the wonderful world of teas made from native plants.

Sip, sample, and savor a variety of unique brews while learning about the native plants that can be transformed into delicious and surprising cups of tea.  Like any proper tea party, conversation is encouraged. Guests are invited to share their favorite native plant tea recipes if they have one.

Expect an atmosphere filled with good company, fascinating plants, and plenty of opportunities to raise a cup to the unexpected. After all, at this tea party, being a little mad about plants is perfectly welcome.

Light refreshments will be provided

Parking: There is room for a few spots to park in the driveway; additional spots are available on the nearest cross street on Crosby, with a short walk to the house.

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Topic: A Tale of Fall Colors with Ray Stewart

When we think of fall color in the landscape we naturally think of tree leaves that transition from summer green into all shades of yellow, red and purple. It is a delight to be enjoyed across much of Eastern North America where deciduous trees dominate the natural landscape. But, there are other sources of color and texture from native perennials that should be considered as you plan your native garden. There is a rich variety of fall blooming native perennials and some examples vines, shrubs and perennials that enhance the color palette of our landscape. Let’s look at a few.

Our host and education presenter will be Ray Stewart (Community Science Chair, Lorain County Community Regional Coordinator, and WOGC Board Director) 

Ray's bio:

Ray Stewart is a retired public school science teacher from Amherst in Lorain County, Ohio. Before teaching, he worked in the ‘Green Industry’ in garden centers, nurseries and as a landscape manager. He is the founder and past president of Ohio Wetlands Association (OWA). He now serves as the OWA Wetland Ambassador. Recently the iNaturalist web app has designated Ray as an iNaturalist Ambassador. Ray founded a non-profit landscape design and consultation firm, Webbedfoot Designs, Inc., that turns its proceeds toward public pollinator gardens. His role here is Lead Designer. He also runs a small native plant nursery out of his home. He is a trained Botanist, Certified Master Rain Gardener, and a Certified Pollinator Steward.

Ray is currently serving as the Lorain County Regional Coordinator for Greater Cleveland Wild Ones. He is a frequent speaker at community organizations and other public outreach events.

Native plants are the foundation of habitat, but wildlife need more than food to thrive. Join ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist Shaun McCoshum, PhD, to explore how nesting sites, shelter, water, soil conditions, and other often-overlooked resources can transform a yard into a functioning ecosystem that supports biodiversity year-round.

Join us for a social in the Notso Grimm Garden, with light refreshments.  In classic Grimm fairy tales, travelers wander dark forests unsure of what lies ahead. In the Notso Grimm garden, the story unfolds differently.  Wander the paths to see where pollinators, birds, and native plants find a welcoming home. 

From our host:

I can’t change the world, but I can change my yard. Cliché, yes… But it is what I believe. Surrounded by green carpet with no benefit whatsoever to our ecosystem, I decided I would make my yard the neighborhood “garden bed.” Starting with the front, I took out all the grass and laid paths upon cardboard and mulch. Then I started planting. At first, I was standard with lots of hostas. I still have an over abundance of them and always will. But I needed something for the other seasons, so bushes started coming in. Height and texture (and I admit, clearance) drove me in my selections. I am also a big buyer of natives through our local extensions, but I needed something more immediate than seedlings. Evergreens are my basics, with showier bedazzlers around and under them. 

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
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What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

Zoe Evans, rewilding coach and VP of Partnerships & Programs at Wildr shares a practical, science-informed framework for evaluating a home landscape, identifying its greatest habitat opportunities, and choosing actions that support more plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Registration link coming soon.

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

Wild Ones of Greater Cleveland is teaming up with Stark Parks f to offer this cost-effective, low-maintenance way to add native plants to your landscape!

Winter sowing is an outdoor seed-starting technique that requires just two things: miniature greenhouses and Mother Nature! It is one of the most cost-effective ways to add native plants to your landscape. All supplies will be provided for participants to create a mini greenhouse of native plants to take home. This program is part of the Stark  Parks Backyard Habitat Series. For more information visit www.starkparks.com/backyard

Registration Required - will be added closer to the event

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.